Scam text messages.

[nomis36]

Since COVID kicked off I’ve been receiving loads of text messages from random numbers telling me somebody’s gained access to my blah blah blah account and I must tap on the link to secure it. Now, I know these are scams so just delete them immediately. However, I do always get the urge to vent my spleen by replying “fk off” to them but not been brave enough so far.
My questions are.....
Would the scammers get the message I send so they know I know they’re thieving scumbags or am I wasting my time?
Also, who the hell do they seem to know what accounts I have? Just about all the texts I get are for companies such as PayPal that I do have accounts with!
Failing all that, is there a way to get my own back on them or should I just let it wash over me and move on?
Cheers.

[anonymous-user]

Don't do it. It'll show your account as active and you'll be plagued even more. Just ride it out. Had the same with calls, it'll pass.

[supertouring]

It is not actually targeted at you, so best not to get offended and just delete then block the number.

Replying or clicking the link is what they want you to do, so don't fall for their fishing tactics.

[omniflow]

They don't know which accounts you have - it's just a numbers game. My Wife recently had the paypal one, and she definitely doesn't have a paypal account.

I've had scam texts about Lloyds bank accounts - which I don't have, and also HSBC bank accounts - which I do have.

[motco]

omniflow said:

They don't know which accounts you have - it's just a numbers game. My Wife recently had the paypal one, and she definitely doesn't have a paypal account.

I've had scam texts about Lloyds bank accounts - which I don't have, and also HSBC bank accounts - which I do have.

I keep being told by someone that my Paypal account has been suspended because of suspicious activity. Clever really, as I never use that particular email address for Paypal!

[alorotom]

HMRC
Barclays
Halifax
Revolut (which was a new one on them and me / I contacted them to query it and they said I was the first to raise it)
PayPal
HSBC

[Last Visit]

What annoys me is that these scam type texts don't come from a 07xxxxxxxxx number but, certainly for those I get, have a name shown as the sender, albeit it's not a name stored in my contacts. They must think the personal touch of 'Sandra' or whoever messaging me will make me believe their crap.

[throt]

Yep,
Had a Halifax text, I do not even have a Halifax account
Ignore all texts/calls from so called banks and software operators
All BS.

[BT Summers]

It is curious that I have had no scam text messages, not one for some years. I had a spate soon after I had a car accident and gave my number to the car repairer, since then notheing at all.

The only pointer may be that I don't give out my number on a regular basis.

[ColinM50]

Hello, this is Amafuc8inzon, please press one .................... Up to five calls a day now. Worst was pre covid we got twelve in one day. I reckon they're slacking.

Just hang uyp or delete.

I tried once clicking the 1 and asked the bored sounding girl at the other end how I could stop their calls. The cheeky bh said you can't block us, you'll keep getting the call and then had the nerve to hang up

[Mr-B]

Maybe try a website like http://www.freesendsms.net/send.php, others available here https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-sites-to-send-fre... and https://rapidapi.com/blog/sms-websites/

Don't know if any of those type of websites still work but if they do it would allow you to send an anonymous text to the scammer calling him every name under the sun Childish but fun.